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Garuda Indonesia’s newest asset, the A330-900neo, made its longhaul debut in Amsterdam. The neo, which stands for ‘new engine option’, is an updated version of the Airbus A330. It can be recognised by its characteristic cockpit window and winglet. It offers improved performance and efficiency, largely due to a newer generation engines.
Onboard, the difference with the older aircraft is easily noticeable. Garuda, a five-star airline according to Skytrax, used the delivery of the A330neo to introduce two new cabins. The airline has currently received 2 out of the 14 aircraft ordered. While the exact time frame is not known yet, Garuda plans to deploy the A330neo on its European routes to Amsterdam and London Heathrow from Denpasar (with a stop in Medan, Sumatra).
InsideFlyer Netherlands visited the aircraft on the ground at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to have a look…
A330neo Business Class
Garuda has opted for the Stelia Opal seat on the A330neo in Business Class. The seats are distributed over 6 rows in a relatively small cabin. The staggered seats are in a 1-2-1 lay-out, providing every passenger with direct aisle access. Depending on the row, you are either directly next to the window with the console between the seat and the aisle, or next to the aisle with the console next to the window. The former of course offers the most privacy.
In the middle section, depending on the row, you have two seats immediately next to each other or seats next to the aisle separated by two consoles in the middle. The former setup has an adjustable privacy screen.
The new seat offers larger screens with improved image quality.
The console includes a reading light, remote control for the entertainment, USB-port, a storage compartment and rack for the headphones. On the side of the console, there are buttons to adjust the seat. The tray table folds out from under the TV screen.
Of course, this new type of seat is fully-flat. Because the seat folds into the shell of the row in front, the cubicle for your feet is rather small depending on your height. For take-off and landing, the seat is equipped with a shoulder harness.
A330neo Economy Class
In Economy Class, the layout is a standard 2-4-2, with seats manufactured by Recaro. The seats alternate between brown and blue and this contrast makes for a rather pretty looking cabin.
The seats offer a good amount of legroom, even for someone measuring 1.95m. The width was also great and the padding was relatively comfortable. The headrests are adjustable in height and can be folded.
Also in Economy Class, the screens have been upgraded – both in size and in image quality.
Wifi is available on board, with a free texting package for apps like Whatsapp and iMessage available for all passengers. For full access to the internet, to browse and use email, paid packages are available.
The tray table was standard and on the small side. Every seat has a footrest.
Those who want almost unlimited legroom can opt for a seat next to the emergency exit.
Note that while the current plan is to fly the A330neo to London soon, Garuda is notorious for last-minute changes to its schedules, routes and the aircraft types deployed on those routes. Hopefully this one sticks and readers can try out the new cabins early in the new year!
A version of this article was first published on InsideFlyer.nl
These seats are another backwards step for Garuda (their old 777 seats are better, as are the few A330’s they’ve decided to put very good reverse herringbone seats on but they aren’t adding these to the NEO for some reason).
They will be pretty well-suited when Tokyo is eventually the longest route Garuda flies through mis-management, I suppose.